Gratitude Challenge | 45 Things I am Grateful For

Feeling grateful does not come easily when we are in emotional pain. When we are really low, it is so difficult to remember a time when life was good or to remember that this will pass.  However, in my recovery journey, l have learned the power of perspective. If you focus on the negative, in turn, negative feelings will be the most prevalent. Conversely, by switching our focus to positive things, we start to notice more of them and our mood lifts, making us feel better. This is why writing a gratitude list is such a powerful tool in recovery.

In February 2019 I turned forty-five. Unfortunately, my Birthday happened just a week after I lost my Mum and the last thing l felt like doing was celebrating. However, my Alcoholics Anonymous sponsors words, “write yourself a gratitude list”, rang in my ears.

Positivity isn’t about pretending life is all bluebells and ice cream. 

Focusing on the positive isn’t about avoidance. Positivity isn’t about pretending life is all bluebells and ice cream.  Instead, positivity is an active choice to acknowledge the pain and difficulty but also to remember that life still had good in it.

One of the best ways to increase positive emotions is with a gratitude list. When we are low, it can feel tough to find things we are thankful for. However, once you have a couple of things written down, it becomes easier to remember more. Once you get into the flow and find your gratitude list growing, you suddenly find yourself smiling.

Gratitude Breeds Positive Feelings

Gratitude doesn’t stop things from hurting, but it does help to bring balance. Remembering the good things in life stops the scale tipping into the darkness and reminds us that things will get that better

45 Things I Am Grateful For

Here is my example, forty-five things I am grateful for, to mark my forty-five years on this planet.

1. Reaching the age of 45

2. Having a loving partner who accepts me for who l am

3. Rebuilding my relationship with mum

4. Having so many people’s support and well wishes

5. Living close to the sea so l can see the waves in the morning

6. My mum accepting me as her son

7. My ability to express myself

8. Beautiful local scenery

9. Ben and Jerrys ice cream

10. Incredible friends who keep sending messages even though l have barely any energy to properly reply

11. Music

12. Lambycat my trusted stuffed fur friend

13. My battered and scarred body which finally reflects the real me

14. Elderflower cordial and fizzy water

15. My new fluffy bunny onesie

16. My new fluffy unicorn socks

17. My brothers support and sense of humour

18. My brothers’ fiancee support over this awful last week

19. My partner’s support and understanding

20. A warm and beautiful flat

21. The internet for access to knowledge and people to connect with

22. Google maps for making it easier to cope with social anxiety and helping me get to places I’ve never been

23. Having a passport and being able to go on holiday

24. Having a bath l can soak in

25. Having a kindle l can read in the bath

26. My Boyfriend teaching me to drive

28. All the birthday cards I’ve received

27. The sound of the seagulls

29. All the sympathy cards and kind words I’ve received

30. Sheep, for being so white and fluffy

31. A comfortable bed

32. Alcoholics anonymous for first saving and then changing my life

33. Learning to manage my mental health challenges using healthy coping tools.

34. My boyfriend’s kisses

35. Coffee

36. Sobriety

37. My boyfriend’s giggle

38. Books

39. My working willy

40. Netflix

41. All the times mum made me laugh

42. Moving back to Eastbourne

43. Being part of the LGBT community

44. Box sets to get lost in

45. Positive quotes and affirmations

I’m smiling already.

Over to you!

Your turn! Give it a try, start with even the smallest thing and I promise you will surprise yourself.